Grain storage bag loader apparatus

ABSTRACT

A bag loader apparatus for filling an elongated bag may comprise a base assembly, and a bag interface assembly for removably mounting a bag thereon and forming a tunnel with a rear opening for fluid communication with the bag. A primary auger assembly has an output opening in communication with the tunnel of the bag interface assembly. In some embodiments, a bag mounting assembly may be configured to lift a bag onto the bag loader apparatus into a position for loading the bag by the apparatus. In some embodiments, a plurality of bag securing elements on the bag interface assembly may be configured to secure a portion of the bag to the bag interface assembly. In some embodiments, an auxiliary auger assembly carried on the base assembly may be configured to feed material into the primary auger assembly.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present disclosure relates to grain bag loaders and moreparticularly pertains to a new grain storage bag loader apparatus with ahighly versatile and functional design providing greater ease of use andefficiency of use.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The storage of materials, such as grains, in large bags of lengths up to500 or more feet on the ground surface in a field is an increasinglypopular way to store materials in a protected manner for short and longperiods of time. The loading of the materials into, and subsequentunloading of the materials from, the interior of the bags can bedifficult due to the weight of the unfilled bags resulting from thesignificant lengths and heavy walls of the bags. Further, the movementof the grain materials from the harvesting or transporting vehicles tothe bag can require a number of specialized apparatus used togetherwhich adds to the cost of using such bags and the difficulty ofassembling all necessary parts of the system in the field where the bagis to filled with the material. In some cases, using existingtechnologies, the convenience and cost savings of using the bags forstorage may be outweighed by the cost of the equipment necessary for useof the bags as well as the difficulty in preparing and filling the bag.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types ofgrain bag loaders now present in the prior art, the present disclosuredescribes a new grain storage bag loader apparatus which may be a highlyversatile and functional design providing greater ease of use andefficiency of use.

The present disclosure relates to a bag loader apparatus for filling anelongated bag. The bag loader apparatus may comprise a base assemblyhaving a front and a rear, and a bag interface assembly for removablymounting a bag thereon. The bag interface assembly may form a tunnelwith a rear opening for placing in fluid communication with a fillopening of the bag, and may include a bulkhead wall and a bag flangeextending generally rearwardly from the bulkhead wall. A primary augerassembly has a first end and a second end with an output opening incommunication with the tunnel of the bag interface assembly. A bagmounting assembly may be configured to lift a bag onto the bag loaderapparatus into a position for loading the bag by the apparatus.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates a bag loader apparatus forfilling an elongated bag. The bag loader apparatus may comprise a baseassembly having a front and a rear, and a bag interface assembly forremovably mounting a bag thereon. The bag interface assembly may form atunnel with a rear opening for placing in fluid communication with afill opening of the bag. The bag interface assembly may include abulkhead wall and a bag flange extending generally rearwardly from thebulkhead wall. A primary auger assembly may have a first end and asecond end with an output opening in communication with the tunnel ofthe bag interface assembly. At least one bag securing element on the baginterface assembly may be configured to secure an end portion of the bagto a lower portion of the bag interface assembly.

In yet another aspect, the disclosure relates a bag loader apparatus forfilling an elongated bag. The bag loader apparatus comprises a baseassembly having a front and a rear, and a bag interface assembly forremovably mounting a bag thereon. The bag interface assembly may form atunnel with a rear opening for placing in fluid communication with afill opening of the bag. The bag interface assembly may include abulkhead wall and a bag flange extending generally rearwardly from thebulkhead wall. A primary auger assembly has a first end and a second endwith an output opening in communication with the tunnel of the baginterface assembly. An auxiliary auger assembly may be configured tofeed material into the primary auger assembly, with the auxiliary augerassembly being carried on the base assembly.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the more importantelements of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood, and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additionalelements of the invention that will be described hereinafter and whichwill form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment orimplementation in greater detail, it is to be understood that the scopeof the invention is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in thefollowing description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention iscapable of other embodiments and implementations and is thus capable ofbeing practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to beunderstood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are forthe purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present disclosure. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

The advantages of the various embodiments of the present invention,along with the various features of novelty that characterize theinvention, are disclosed in the following descriptive matter andaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be better understood and when consideration is givento the drawings and the detailed description which follows. Suchdescription makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic forward perspective view of a new grain storagebag loader apparatus according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the loader apparatus, according to anillustrative embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the loader apparatus, according toan illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic rear view of the loader apparatus, according to anillustrative embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of the loader apparatus, according to anillustrative embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic rearward perspective view of the loader apparatus,according to an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the loader apparatus,according to an illustrative embodiment, showing the auxiliary augerassembly in a storage position (in broken lines) and a use position.

FIG. 8A is a schematic perspective view of the loader apparatus,according to an illustrative embodiment, showing the auxiliary augerassembly and the truck sump receiving auger assembly in an initialpositioning.

FIG. 8B is a schematic perspective view of the loader apparatus,according to an illustrative embodiment, showing the auxiliary augerassembly and the receiving auger assembly in an intermediatepositioning.

FIG. 8C is a schematic perspective view of the loader apparatus,according to an illustrative embodiment, showing the auxiliary augerassembly and the receiving auger assembly in a later positioning.

FIG. 9 is a schematic partial perspective view of the loader apparatus,according to an illustrative embodiment, showing elements of the heightadjustment assembly.

FIG. 10 is a schematic side sectional view of a lower portion of theloop of the accordion-folded bag positioned adjacent the bag interfaceassembly with a portion of the bag being attached to the bag interfaceassembly in a positive manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through10 thereof, a new grain storage bag loader apparatus embodying theprinciples and concepts of the disclosed subject matter will bedescribed.

The disclosure relates to a bag loader apparatus 10 that is highlysuitable for filling an elongated bag 1. The bag 1 is typically formedof a flexible material with relatively low air permeability. The bag istypically filled with a crop material that needs to be isolated fromelements of the environment such as air and moisture for a period oftime. The bag 1 has opposite ends, and a first one 2 of the ends may beconfigured with a fill opening 2 into which material is inserted orpushed into the interior of the bag, and the a second one 3 of the endsmay be configured with a closure opposite the opening 2 to hold in thecontents as the bag is being filled. The bag may be received in acondition in which both ends are open, and the bag forms a loop (seeFIG. 6) with sections of the bag wall being accordion folded so that theeffective length of the bag in the accordion-folded condition isapproximately 12 inches to 36 inches. The bag end that typically formsthe closure is typically the outermost folded section of theaccordion-folded loop, and the bag end that forms the fill opening istypically the innermost folded section of the accordion-folded loop (seeFIG. 10). The unfolded length of the bag can be up to 500 feet or morein length between the opposite ends, and is often utilized in a fieldfrom which the crop material has been removed.

Generally, such as is shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, the bag loaderapparatus 10 may generally include a base assembly 12, a heightadjustment assembly 14, a bag interface assembly 16, and a primary augerassembly 18. In some embodiments, the loader apparatus 10 may alsoinclude an auxiliary auger apparatus 20 and a truck sump receivingassembly 22.

In greater detail, the base assembly 12 has a front 24 and a rear 25with respect to the direction of movement of the apparatus 10 when theapparatus is employed to fill a bag. The base assembly 12 may comprise abase frame 26 with a forward portion 28 and a rearward portion 29. Theforward portion 28 of the frame 26 may form a trailer tongue with atowable hitch 30 which may be hitched to a vehicle such as a tractor forthe purpose of moving the apparatus over the road between locations ofusage, as well as for moving the apparatus 10 forwardly as the bag isfilled and a further portion of the interior of the bag needs to beopened and filled. The base assembly may also include an axle 32 that ismounted on the frame, and a pair of wheels 34 mounted on the axle thatpermits the apparatus 10 to be towed.

The bag interface assembly 16 is configured for removably mounting a bag1 onto the interface assembly, and a portion of the bag interfaceassembly may be partially inserted into the fill opening of the bag. Thebag interface assembly 16 may form a tunnel 40 with a rear opening 42for connecting to, and placing in fluid communication with, the fillopening 2 of the bag. The rear opening 42 may be elongated in ahorizontal and lateral direction. The bag interface assembly 16 maycomprise a bulkhead wall 44 that may extend transversely of the baseframe, with one side of the bulkhead wall being forward facing andanother face of the wall 44 being rearwardly facing. The bulkhead wall44 may have an auger opening 46 for receiving material from the primaryauger assembly 18. The bulkhead wall 44 has a perimeter 48.

The bag interface assembly 16 may further comprise a bag flange 50 thatextends from the bulkhead wall 44 in a rearward direction, and theflange 50 may extend substantially perpendicular to the plane of thebulkhead wall. The bag flange 50 may extend along the perimeter 46 ofthe bulkhead wall, and may extend substantially continuously along theperimeter of the bulkhead wall as well as being substantiallycontinuously united to the wall 44 at a forward end 52 or edge of theflange to form a seal against material escape from the bag being filled.The bag flange 50 may have a rear end 53 or edge that forms or definesthe rear opening 42 of the tunnel. The bag flange 50 has an outwardsurface 54 against which the interior surface of the bag may bepositioned as the bag interior is being filled.

A bag securing structure 56 of the bag interface assembly 16 may beprovided to secure a bag 1 to the bag interface assembly, and may helpsecure some portions of the bag to the bag flange 50. The securingstructure may hold a portion of the bag in a close relationship to, andmay hold the bag in abutment against, the outward surface 54 of the bagflange 50 to resist or block the material moving into the bag fromescaping from the interior of the bag between the bag and the bagflange.

The bag securing structure 56 may include a perimeter band 58 thatextends along the bag flange, and may be positioned against the outwardsurface 54 of the bag flange when a bag is not mounted on the bagflange. The perimeter band 58 may be biased inwardly against the bagflange such that the positioning of a portion of the bag between theband 58 and the outward surface 54 tends to press the bag against thebag flange. The perimeter band 58 may be continuous along substantiallythe entire bag flange, and may be an endless loop. The perimeter band 58may be formed of a resiliently elastic material and may be at leastslightly elongated when positioned against the bag flange such that theresilient elasticity of the perimeter band tends to press the bandagainst the outward surface. To assist in locating the perimeter band 58on the flange 50, a plurality of positioning straps 60 may be utilizedto hold the perimeter band in a position along the bag flange againstrearward movement that would tend to move the band off of the flange 50.Each of the positioning straps 60 may be looped about a portion of theperimeter band, and the positioning straps may be positioned along theperimeter of the bag flange such that the straps engage spaced portionsof the band 58. Each of the positioning straps may have a pair ofopposite ends 62, 63, and a first end 62 of a positioning strap may bemounted to the bulkhead wall or bag flange at a location that is spacedfrom a location at which a second end 63 of the strap is mounted on thebulkhead wall or bag flange. Each of the ends of the positioning strapsmay be mounted on the bulkhead wall or bag flange at locations forwardof a desired position of the perimeter band 58 on the flange 50 suchthat the positioning straps bias the perimeter band forwardly on the bagflange when the positioning straps are intertwined with the perimeterband. A hook may be mounted on one or both of the ends of thepositioning straps to mount the positioning straps on the bulkhead wallor bag flange. The hooks may be releasable from their mounting on thebulkhead wall or bag flange upon the application of a force greater thana predetermined level to the hook by the positioning strap, such as bythe perimeter band acting on one of the positioning straps.

The primary auger assembly 18 may be provided for moving material fromone or more feed points to the bag interface assembly, and into theinterior of the tunnel. The primary auger assembly 18 may have a firstend 66 with a first input opening 67, and a second end 68 with an outputopening 69. The primary auger assembly 18 may also have a second inputopening 70 that is positioned between the first 66 and second 68 ends.

The primary auger assembly 18 may comprise a primary housing 72 whichmay be elongated between the first 66 and second 68 ends of the augerassembly. The primary housing 72 may be substantially cylindrical inshape and encloses an interior. A primary auger 74 may be positioned inthe primary housing to move material from the first input opening 67,and the second input opening 70, to the output opening 69 when the augeris rotated.

A primary input structure 76 may be included as a part of the primaryauger assembly 18 for guiding material into the first input opening 67,and may be positioned about the primary input opening and mounted on theprimary housing at the first end 66 of the primary auger assembly. Asecondary input structure 78 may be associated with the second inputopening 70 for guiding material into the opening 70. The secondary inputstructure 78 may be positioned about the secondary input opening, andmay be mounted on the primary housing 72 between the first and secondends of the primary auger assembly. The secondary input structure 78 maycomprise a fill hopper 80 that opens in an upward direction forreceiving material to be fed into the primary auger. The fill hopper 80may have an interior that is in communication with the second inputopening 70 to guide material placed in the fill hopper to the secondinput opening. The fill hopper 80 may be mounted on the primary housing72 about the second input opening, and is positioned above the secondinput opening. The interior of the fill hopper 80 has a cross sectionalarea which may taper smaller from the top 82 of the fill hopper to thebottom 83 of the fill hopper. The secondary input structure 78 may alsoinclude a gate 84 that is configured to selectively prevent material inthe fill hopper 80 from moving through the secondary input opening tothe primary auger. The gate 84 may be movable between an open positionwhich allows movement of material from the interior of the fill hopperinto the interior of the primary housing, and a closed position in whichthe gate substantially blocks movement of material from the interior ofthe fill hopper to the interior of the primary housing. An operatinghandle 86 may be provided for operating the gate 84 between the open andclosed positions. Advantageously, the gate 84 permits the user to meteror slow the flow of grain from the fill hopper into the primary auger,as well as close the opening if the second input opening 70 is beingutilized for feeding the primary auger to prevent, for example, debrisfrom entering the primary auger. Further, should the primary auger bestopped while grain remains in the fill hopper, the ability to close thegate 84 may facilitate the restarting of the primary auger without thepressure of the contents of the fill hopper bearing upon the primaryauger.

The primary auger assembly 81 may comprise a power take-off structure 88that is configured to link the primary auger 74 to a power take-offconnector of a vehicle. The power take-off structure may extendforwardly from the primary auger and the primary housing, and may extendover the trailer tongue and hitch 30 of the base frame.

Significantly, at least some embodiments of the bag loader apparatus 10may include the auxiliary auger assembly 20 for feeding material intothe primary auger assembly 18 from locations and positions differentthan the primary input structure. Significantly, the auxiliary augerassembly 20 is carried on the base frame, and may be supported by thebase frame (as well as other elements of the apparatus 10) such that theauger assembly 20 moves with the apparatus 10 as a unit. Thus, aseparate auger does not need to be transported along with apparatus 10to the location that a bag is to be filled. In many cases, the auxiliaryauger assembly 20 may be sufficient for retrieving grain from a sourceto feed the primary auger assembly, and in other cases the auxiliaryauger assembly may be used in conjunction with yet another auger (suchas is described elsewhere in this description). Ease of use may beenhanced by the ability to adjust the intake end of the auxiliary augerassembly so that the point of entry of the grain is not fixed inrelation to the rest of the apparatus 10 and may be adjusted to somedegree. The auxiliary auger assembly 20 has an input end 90 forreceiving material to be carried by the auxiliary auger and an outputend 92 for dispensing material carried by the auxiliary auger assembly.The auxiliary auger assembly 20 may be movable between a storageposition (see FIG. 7) and one or more use positions. The storageposition is suitable for transport of the apparatus on the road, and theuse position is suitable for receiving material from locations that arelaterally adjacent to the apparatus. The auxiliary auger assembly 20 maycomprise an auxiliary housing 94 that may be elongated and substantiallycylindrical in shape, and which defines an interior. The auxiliaryhousing 94 may be movable, and may be pivotable, with respect to thebase assembly 12, to permit the movement of the auxiliary auger assembly20 between the storage and use positions. The auxiliary auger assembly20 may also comprise an auxiliary auger 96 that is positioned in theauxiliary housing and is able to rotate with respect to the housing tomove material between the ends of the housing.

For support of elements of the auxiliary auger assembly 20, a supportstrut 98 may be utilized in the assembly 20 to support, for example, theauxiliary housing 94 on the base assembly 12. The support strut 98 maybe pivotally mounted on the base frame 12 and may also be pivotallymounted on the auxiliary housing 94 to permit the movement of the augerassembly 20 between the storage and use positions. In someimplementations, the length of the strut 98 may be adjustable.Optionally, the auxiliary auger assembly 20 may further comprise asupport wheel (not shown) that is configured to selectively support theauxiliary housing 94 on a ground surface, such as when the auxiliaryauger assembly is in the use position, and may be removed from contactwith the ground surface when the auger assembly 20 is in the transportposition. The support wheel may be mounted on the auxiliary housing, andmay be located toward the input end 90 of the assembly 20 for supportingthe input end above the ground surface.

An auxiliary fill hopper 102 may be positioned at the input end 90 ofthe auxiliary auger assembly for receiving material to be transported bythe auxiliary auger assembly to the primary auger assembly. Theauxiliary fill hopper 102 may be mounted on the auxiliary housing in amanner such that the auxiliary auger 96 pulls material from an interiorof the fill hopper 102 into the interior of the auxiliary housing towardthe output end 92 of the assembly 20. The auxiliary auger assembly 20may also include a dispensing hood 104 that is positioned at the outputend 92 of the auxiliary auger assembly for guiding material that exitsthe output end. The dispensing hood 104 may be positioned above theprimary input structure 76 such that material carried by the auxiliaryauger is dropped into the primary input structure to be carried by theprimary auger 74.

The truck sump receiving assembly 22 may be configured to receivematerial at a location adjacent to the ground surface and relativelyproximate to the base assembly 12 so that, for example, the hopper of atruck may be unloaded downwardly onto the assembly 22 and carried upwardto another location, such as the auxiliary fill hopper. The sumpreceiving assembly 22 may be configured to rest on the ground surface,although this is not a critical feature.

The sump receiving assembly 22 may comprise a receiving structure 106that is restable on the ground surface to provide to relatively lowvertical profile that permits the structure 106 to be positioned belowthe hopper output of a truck. The receiving structure 106 may comprise areceiving tray 108 that has an upper surface on which material may bedeposited from the hopper outlet. The receiving structure 106 may alsoinclude a plurality of wheels 110 providing support to the sumpreceiving assembly 22 on the ground surface, and in some embodiments,each of the wheels comprises a caster-type wheel.

A receiving auger assembly 112 may be included in the sump receivingassembly 22 to draw in material in the receiving tray 108. The receivingauger 112 may having a lower end 114 positioned at the receiving trayand an upper end 116 for dispensing the material carried by the auger.The upper end 116 may be positionable above the fill hopper 102 of theauxiliary auger assembly 20 in order to dispense material into the fillhopper. The lower end 114 may be positioned adjacent to the uppersurface of the tray on which material may be positioned by dropping outof the hopper of a truck.

In at least some embodiments, the sump receiving assembly 22 may bereleasably linked to the auxiliary auger assembly 20 so that the sumpreceiving assembly 22 is able to follow the movement of the auxiliaryauger assembly 20 as the bag loader apparatus 10 is moved forwardly bythe volume of grain filling the bag. Movement of grain into the interiorof the bag tends to move the apparatus 10 forwardly without assistanceof a prime mover, which can disrupt the positioning of the variouselements that are utilized to supply the primary augur with grain. Asbest shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C, which shows the positioning of thevarious elements as the apparatus 10 moves forwardly, the receiving tray108 of the truck sump receiving assembly 22 is able to remain relativelystationary to receive grain from the unloading vehicle while the otherelements adjust to the movement of the base assembly 12 of the bagloader apparatus 10. A linkage 100 may be employed to releasably linkthe sump receiving assembly 22 to the auxiliary auger apparatus 20, andmay extend from adjacent to the input end 90 of the auxiliary augerapparatus and the dispensing hood 104 of the sump receiving assembly 22.In some embodiments, the linkage 100 includes a ball and socket elementsthat permits an enhanced degree of freedom of movement of the elementswith respect to each other. The linkage 100 may remove the need forhaving a person monitor and reposition the dispensing hood 104 and theinput end 90 as the base assembly 12 of the apparatus 10 is movedforward by the filling of the bag while the grain unloading vehicleremains stationary.

The height adjustment assembly 14 may be provided on the apparatus 10for adjusting a height of the base frame 26 (as well as other elementsmounted on the base frame) above the ground surface on which the wheelsof the base assembly 12 rest. It may be desirable to lower the positionof the base frame, and the elements mounted on the base frame, relativeto the ground surface, when a bag is being loaded, and it may also bedesirable to raise the base frame with respect to the ground for greaterground clearance when the apparatus is to be transported, such as on aroad or highway. In the illustrative embodiment, a rotatable beam 118 isemployed to raise and lower the mounting points of the axle (or thesuspension, if utilized) relative to the base frame. The rotatable beamextends in a substantially lateral direction between the mountingpoints. An actuating lever 120 is attached to and extends radiallyoutwardly from the rotatable beam, such that force applied to the levertends to rotate the beam 118 in one direction to raise the mountingpoints, and in another direction to lower the mounting points, withrespect to the base frame. In some embodiments, the element acting onthe lever 120 to provide the force is a telescopic actuator 122, suchas, for example, a combination hydraulic actuator having a cylinder andram. The telescopic actuator 122 is mounted on the lever and on amounting point on the base frame 26. A linking member 124 may connectthe beam to the base frame adjacent to the actuator while allowing thebeam 118 to freely rotate with respect to the linking member 124 and thebase frame 26.

One significant optional feature is an auxiliary support member 126 thatacts to support the base frame 26 in the raised position without havingto rely upon the actuator to support the structure in either position,and thus the actuator 122 simply acts to move the structure between theposition corresponding to the raised position and the positioncorresponding to the lowered position. As can be seen in FIG. 9, aproximal end 128 of the support member is pivotally mounted on the lever120 at a position at or near the exposed end of the piston rod of theactuator 122, and thus is pivotable with respect to the rod and theactuator. In a first position, the support member 126 is pivoted suchthat the distal end 130 of the support member is positioned adjacent toand abuts against the head end of the cylinder barrel of the actuator122 to assist in holding the actuator in a telescoped condition withoutrelying primarily on hydraulic pressure inside the cylinder, whichsecures the actuator 122 against retraction should the hydraulic systembleed down while the actuator is extended, and reduce pressure in thehydraulic system due to forces acting on the piston rod as the apparatusis moved across the ground. The support member may be positioned aboutthe piston rod in the first position, and may extend through an openingin a plate forming the distal end of the support member. The forceapplied to the lever is thus transferred from the cylinder (from itsmount on the base frame) to the support member to the lever, withoutbeing transferred through the piston rod.

Another significant feature of the bag securing structure 56 of theapparatus 10 is the ability to create a positive and direct attachmentof the bag to the bag interface assembly. Applicants have recognizedthat merely pressing or pushing portions of the bag against the outsideof the bag loader does not provide an optimum interface between the bagand bag interface assembly, particularly at the lower portions of theinterface assembly, as grain filling the bag tends to move between thebag and the bag loader at the lower portions of the bag loader. In suchconfigurations, the weight of the grain piling up inside the bag tendsto push and force some of the grain between the loop of the bag and bagloader, allowing the grain to move out of the bag interior and onto theground, often leaving a trail of grain on the ground beside orunderneath the filled bag. The spilled grain tends to attract animalssuch as mice that would not otherwise be attracted to the filled bag, orits contents, and once the mice have consumed the spilled grain they maybe tempted to investigate the interior of the bag and may consume anddamage the grain inside.

A positive attachment of the bag to the bag interface assembly,especially at the lower portions of the bag and the bag interfaceassembly, provides a more suitable interface against leakage andactually utilizes the weight of the accumulating grain to hold the bagin place without significant leakage. In some embodiments, means may beused for holding a portion of the bag on the bag interface assemblyuntil sufficient grain has accumulated to hold the desired portions ofthe bag against the bag interfaces assembly at which point the functionof the holding means may be negligible. Such holding means may be usedin combination with a bag tray 132 that supports the lower extent of thebag loop adjacent to the bottom of the perimeter of the bulkhead wall,but the bag tray is not relied upon to hold the bag loop close enough tothe bag interface assembly to prevent grain leakage. The positiveattachment of the bag to the lower portions of the bag interfaceassembly tends to resist the grain from moving into the accordion-foldedsections of the bag that have yet to be unfolded for filling, althougheven if such movement does occur, it does not result in grain leakingfrom the bag.

These advantages may be provided by positively attaching portions of thebag along its perimeter to the interface assembly, such as is shown inFIG. 10. Significantly, the portion of the bag attached or secured tothe bag interface assembly is the portion or portions of the bag locatedadjacent to the fill opening end of the bag 1, which is positioned onthe innermost section of the accordion-folded bag forming the bag loop.In at least some embodiments, a lower portion of the looped bag isattached to the bag interface assembly while upper portions of thelooped bag may be held using the perimeter band 58 and positioning strap60 described herein. In at least some embodiments, portions of the bagare positively attached to the rearward face of the bulkhead wall. Suchattachments may be accomplished using a variety of different attachmentstructures, and in the illustrative embodiment, the bag securingstructure 56 includes one or more discrete bag securing elements 134that secure the bag to the bag interface assembly, although a continuousor substantially continuous attachment may be utilized to attach theinnermost section of the accordion-folded bag to the bag interfaceassembly. Each of the illustrative bag securing elements 134 may grasp aportion of or a location on the wall of the bag and secure it to alocation on the bag loader apparatus, such as to the bulkhead wall 44.In the illustrative embodiment, each of the securing elements 134 islocated on the rear face of the bulkhead wall 44 and is positionedproximate to the perimeter 48 of the bulkhead wall. When the loop of theunfilled bag is positioned on the bag flange 50, the innermost sectionof the bag (forming the fill opening) may be drawn away from the rest ofthe accordion folded bag on the flange 50 to a position adjacent to therear face of the bulkhead wall at its perimeter 48, and the bag may besecured using the securing elements so that the edge of the bag formingthe fill opening is positioned against, or substantially sealed with,the rear face of the bulkhead wall. In the illustrative embodiment, thesecuring elements 134 are formed by clamps that may be secured in aclamped position by an over-center mechanism, but any suitable devicemay be used that securely holds a portion of the wall of the bag wallagainst the bulkhead wall. Significantly, the structure formed by theseelements forms a highly effective seal between the tunnel 40 and the bag1 that resists the escape of the filling material from the interior ofthe bag through any gap between the bag and the apparatus 10. Once thebag is filled to the desired capacity, then the wall of the bag may becut close to the bulkhead wall 44 to expose the securing elements 134 sothat the securing elements can be released from the remainder of the bagon the apparatus 10.

The bag load apparatus 10 may include a bag mounting assembly 136 thatassists in the lifting of the bag 1 into position on the bag flange 50prior to use of the apparatus 10 for filling the bag. The bag mountingassembly 136 may utilize a lid structure 138 that is movable between araised operational position (see FIG. 4) and a lowered loading position(see FIG. 6). The lid structure 138 may form a portion of the bag flange50 when the lid structure is in the raised operational position, and maybe moved away from the remainder of the structure of the bag flange 50when the lid structure is moved into the lowered loading position closerto the ground surface. An upper extent of the loop formed by theaccordion-folded wall of the bag 1 may be more easily positioned on thelid structure 138 in the loading position, and the lid structure may beraised into the operational position to move the upper extent to anupper location on the bag flange as the lid structure moves intoposition in, or adjacent to, the remainder of the bag flange. Thismovement of the lid structure, and the upper extent of the bag supportedthereon, tends to bring the lower extent of the bag into position alongthe lower portions of the bag flange and into a bag tray positionedbelow the lower portion of the flange. The lid structure 138 maycomprise a support plate that has an upper surface 140 for supporting anupper extent of the bag thereon, and a lower surface 142 locatedopposite of the upper surface on the support plate. In some embodiments,the support plate may be substantially arcuate in shape such that theupper surface 140 is convex and the lower surface 142 is concave tominimize stress points on the bag when the bag is being lifted and issolely supported on the lid structure.

The bag mounting assembly 136 may also include a lifting structure 144that is configured to move the lid structure 138 between the loadingposition and the operational position, and that may be mounted on thebulkhead wall 44. The lifting structure 144 may be configured tomaintain the upper surface 140 of the support plate in a uniformorientation when the lid structure is moved between the loading positionand the operational position, and preferably the lifting structuremaintains the upper surface 140 in a substantially level orientationbetween the loading position and the operational position. The liftingstructure 144 may comprise at least one lifting arm 146, and in somepreferable embodiments includes a pair 146, 147 of lifting arms. Thelifting arm may be mounted on the bulkhead wall 44 and also on the lidstructure 138. The lifting arms 146, 147 may be mounted on the rear faceof the bulkhead wall 44 and on the lower surface 142 of the supportplate of the lid structure, although this positioning is not critical.The lifting arms may be pivotable with respect to the bulkhead wall andthe support plate of the lid structure. Each of the lifting arms 146,147 may comprise a pair of bars 148, 149 that may be mounted in aparallel link arrangement to the bulkhead wall and the lid structure.The pair 146, 147 of lifting arms may be laterally spaced from eachother and mounted to the bulkhead wall and the lid structure atlaterally spaced locations.

The lifting structure 144 may also comprise a lifting arm actuationassembly 150 that is configured to actuate the one or more lifting arms146, 147 to move the lid structure 138 between the loading position andthe operational position. In the illustrative embodiments, the liftingarm actuation assembly 150 comprises a pivot rod 152 mounted to one orboth of the lifting arms 146, 147 in a manner such that rotation of thepivot rod 152 pivots the lifting arm with respect to the bulkhead wall.The pivot rod 152 may be rotatably mounted on the bulkhead wall. Thelifting arm actuation assembly 150 may comprise an actuation structure154 to actuate the pivot rod 152 to cause rotation of the pivot rod 152and move the lifting arms 146, 147 to move the lid structure 138 betweenthe loading position and the operational position. The actuationstructure may comprise a pivot arm mounted on the pivot rod 152 and mayextend from the pivot rod 152. The actuation structure 154 may alsocomprise an actuator 158 that is configured to act on the pivot arm 156to rotate the pivot rod 152 by moving the pivot arm 156. The actuator158 may comprise a telescopic actuator, and may comprise a hydraulicpiston and cylinder.

In use, after positioning the apparatus 10 in the field at a locationwhere the filled bag is to be rested, the lid structure 138 may be movedfrom the raised operational position toward the lowered loading positioncloser to the ground surface. The bag 1 may be positioned adjacent tothe lid structure, and an upper extent of the loop formed by theunfilled bag may be raised up by the user and placed or rested upon theupper surface of the lid structure 138. The lid structure 138 may thenbe moved, using the lifting structure, from the lowered loading positionto the raised operational position using suitable controls, such ashydraulic controls used to control hydraulic fluid movement to theactuator 158. Once the lid structure has reached the operationalposition and the lid structure forms a portion of the bag flange, thenthe lower extent of the bag loop may be positioned below the bag flange,and in some cases may be rested upon a bag tray that is positioned belowthe lowermost extent of the bag flange to support that portion of thebag. The edge of the innermost section of the accordion-folded bag maybe drawn away from the rest of the bag, and that portion may be securedto the bulkhead wall of the apparatus using the bag securing elements tohold onto the innermost section of the bag, resisting material movementbetween the lower portion of the bag flange and the bag which wouldallow material to escape from the interior of the bag. The outermostsection of the accordion-folded bag may be drawn in a rearward directionfrom the apparatus 10, and the edges of the bag on the outmost sectionmay be secured or held together to close the opening in the end of thebag.

The material may then be moved into the interior of the bag. This may beaccomplished by feeding the material directly into the primary augerassembly 18 via the primary input structure 76 by dropping the materialinto the fill hopper 80, such as by an auger mounted on a wagon or cart.Optionally, the auxiliary auger apparatus 20 may be utilized to loadmaterial from the hopper bottom of a trailer into the primary augerapparatus via the secondary input structure. Additionally the truck sumpreceiving assembly may be utilized to further extend the reach of theauxiliary auger apparatus. Filling of the bag with material by one ofthese ways tends to push the apparatus in a forward direction as thefilled portion of the bag remains stationary, and the material fillingthe bag pushes against the bulkhead wall.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obviousto one skilled in the art in light of the foregoing disclosure, and allequivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings anddescribed in the specification are intended to be encompassed by thepresent invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the disclosed subject matter to the exact constructionand operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitablemodifications and equivalents may be resorted to that fall within thescope of the claims.

We claim:
 1. A bag loader apparatus for filling an elongated bag, thebag loader apparatus comprising: a base assembly having a front and arear; a bag interface assembly for removably mounting a bag thereon, thebag interface assembly forming a tunnel with a rear opening for placingin fluid communication with a fill opening of the bag, the bag interfaceassembly including a bulkhead wall and a bag flange extending generallyrearwardly from the bulkhead wall, the bulkhead wall having a rearwardface extending generally transverse to the base assembly and havingopposite lateral extents; a primary auger assembly having a first endand a second end with an output opening in communication with the tunnelof the bag interface assembly, the lateral extents of the bulkhead wallextending laterally with respect to the output opening of the augerassembly; and a plurality of bag securing elements for selectivelysecuring the bag to the bag interface assembly, the bag securingelements being mounted at discrete spaced locations on the bulkhead wallof the bag interface assembly including at least one location on each ofthe lateral extents of the bulkhead wall; wherein each of the bagsecuring elements contacts the bag and clamps a section of the bag intocontact with the rearward face of the bulkhead wall to resist movementof the section of the bag with respect to the bulkhead wall.
 2. The bagloader apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said bag securingelements is mounted on the bulkhead wall below the output opening of theprimary auger assembly.
 3. The bag loader apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe plurality of bag securing elements are mounted on the bulkhead wallin an array extending substantially horizontally across the bulkheadwall below the output opening of the primary auger assembly.
 4. The bagloader apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said bag securingelements is mounted adjacent to a lower extent of the bulkhead wall. 5.The bag loader apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bag securing elementsare located inside a perimeter generally defined by the bag flange. 6.The bag loader apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of bagsecuring elements are mounted at spaced locations in a substantiallyhorizontal linear alignment on the bulkhead wall.
 7. The bag loaderapparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said bag securing elementspresses a section of an end portion of the bag against the rearward faceof the bulkhead wall of the bag interface assembly.
 8. The bag loaderapparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said bag securing elementscomprises a clamp.
 9. The bag loader apparatus of claim 1 wherein eachbag securing element comprises a clamp.
 10. The bag loader apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the plurality of securing elements clamp a wall of thebag against a discrete location on the rearward face of the bulkheadwall.
 11. The bag loader apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one ofsaid bag securing elements is mounted on the rearward face of thebulkhead wall.
 12. The bag loader apparatus of claim 1 additionallycomprising a bag mounting assembly configured to lift a bag onto the bagloader apparatus into a position for loading the bag by the apparatus.13. The bag loader apparatus of claim 1 wherein the output opening ofthe primary auger assembly through which material is discharged into thefill opening of the bag is located above all of the bag securingelements.
 14. The bag loader apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of thebag securing elements contact and clamp a section of the bag to preventmovement of the section of the bag between the clamp and the rearwardface of the bulkhead wall.
 15. The bag loader apparatus of claim 1wherein the bag securing element comprises a pressure pad movable in adirection substantially perpendicular to the rearward surface of thebulkhead wall, the pressure pad having a contact surface movable towardthe bulkhead wall to pinch the section of the bag between the pressurepad and the wall and being movable away from the bulkhead wall torelease the section of the bag from being pinched.
 16. A bag loaderapparatus for filling an elongated bag, the bag loader apparatuscomprising: a base assembly having a front and a rear; a bag interfaceassembly for removably mounting a bag thereon, the bag interfaceassembly forming a tunnel with a rear opening for placing in fluidcommunication with a fill opening of the bag, the bag interface assemblyincluding a bulkhead wall and a bag flange extending generallyrearwardly from the bulkhead wall, the bulkhead wall having a rearwardface extending generally transverse to the base assembly and havingopposite lateral extents; a primary auger assembly having a first endand a second end with an output opening in communication with the tunnelof the bag interface assembly, the lateral extents of the bulkhead wallextending laterally with respect to the output opening of the augerassembly; a plurality of bag securing elements for securing the bag tothe bag interface assembly, the bag securing elements being configuredto contact the bag and hold the bag in contact with the rearward face ofthe bulkhead wall, the bag securing elements being mounted at discretespaced locations on the bulkhead wall of the bag interface assemblyincluding at least one location on each of the lateral extents of thebulkhead wall; wherein at least one of said bag securing elementscomprises a clamp; and wherein the clamp has an over-center mechanism.17. A bag loader apparatus for filling an elongated bag, the bag loaderapparatus comprising: a base assembly having a front and a rear; a baginterface assembly for removably mounting a bag thereon, the baginterface assembly forming a tunnel with a rear opening for placing influid communication with a fill opening of the bag, the bag interfaceassembly including a bulkhead wall and a bag flange extending generallyrearwardly from the bulkhead wall, the bulkhead wall having a rearwardface and extending generally transverse to the base assembly and havingopposite lateral extents; a primary auger assembly having a first endand a second end with an output opening in communication with the tunnelof the bag interface assembly, the lateral extents of the bulkhead wallhaving extending laterally with respect to the output opening of theauger assembly; and a plurality of bag securing elements for securing anend portion of the bag to a lower portion of the rearward face of thebulkhead wall, at least one of the bag securing elements beingconfigured to contact and press a section of the bag into contact withthe rearward face of the bulkhead wall to prevent movement of thesection of the bag with respect to the rearward face, the bag securingelements being mounted at discrete spaced locations on the bulkhead wallbelow the output opening in an array extending substantiallyhorizontally across the bulkhead wall below the output opening of theprimary auger assembly with at least one bag securing element beinglocated on each of the lateral extents of the bulkhead wall.
 18. The bagloader apparatus of claim 17 wherein each of the bag securing elementsclamps a portion of the bag against the rearward face of the bulkheadwall.
 19. The bag loader apparatus of claim 17 wherein each of the bagsecuring elements presses a portion of the bag against the rearward faceof the bulkhead wall.